Scholarship Application Tips

For students age 13 and older, it’s not too early to start thinking about college and the ISIA Education Foundation scholarship. If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to start keeping records, working on your academic standing and thinking about applying for future scholarships.

Take a look at the guidelines on the ISI website to help you get started. The application is updated annually in the fall, and the deadline is March 1 of the year in which the scholarship is awarded.

Following are some tips for prospective scholarship applicants:

Keep a log of your service hours as you perform them. (Example: Student helper – 3 hours – date). This will make gathering information for your application easier. Service may be from more than one location. Credit for service hours will be given for service rendered beginning at age 13. Please be sure to indicate whether the hours are volunteer only or if you received payment.

A form that is neat and easy to follow is appreciated. Consistency of accounting is also important; help the committee easily recognize how much work you’ve put in and where you’ve put your time in.

Having your service hours verified is required. Although a minimum number of volunteer hours must be associated with an ISI member facility, it’s also important to log hours of other community involvement, which shows that you are a well-rounded individual.

If you are having a challenge getting hours in at your local facility, why not help out at a district or national event? Contact your district director or the national programs director at the ISI office and let them know that you would like to volunteer.

Keep a log of the local, regional and national ISI competitions and ISI-endorsed shows that you have participated in. Your placement at competitions is not as important as your participation. Education Foundation members realize that by competing, skaters are motivated and challenged and gain a sense of accomplishment as well as friendships. These all contribute to your growth as an individual.

Read the profiles of the previous scholarship winners. This will help you better understand the criteria.

If you are coaching, be sure that you are a current professional member of the ISI. If you have any weSKATE or judging certifications, please list them.

You must submit two evaluation forms. One evaluation must be from the supervisor at the site where a majority of your service hours took place; the second should be from an adult not associated with ice skating and not related to you. In addition, one letter of recommendation may be included with the application. [Note to skating directors and managers: This is where you can help! Please write why you recommend this student; do not just check the box. Help the committee by telling them what sets this person apart.]

A typed statement of 500 words or less on “Why I Should Receive an ISIA Education Foundation Scholarship” must accompany application. This essay is an important part of the score. Tell the committee what sets you apart and what you’ve learned from your experiences in skating and ISI, and how it has helped you or will help you in the future.

Your community service, community service awards, education awards and recognition, educational goals and competitive ice skating experience will be considered in the screening and selection process. The committee assigns a score to each of these areas. Much like the ISI judging system, each area is assigned points that are added to reach an overall score and ranking.

When it’s time to apply, please read carefully and follow the most up-to-date guidelines listed.

Please proofread your application carefully before submitting. Look at the packet and put yourself in the position of the evaluators. What does the committee see? Is it a true reflection of you and the image you wish to project? If you were evaluating applications, what would you think? Is it neat, complete and easy to follow? Do you see a first-place performance?

Your application packet MUST be complete in order to be considered for the scholarship.

The Ice Skating Institute of America (ISIA) Education Foundation does not discriminate in academic scholarship selection on the basis of age, sex, religion, marital status, etc. Any questions or comments should be sent to ISIAEF@skateisi.com.